"Your lady friend is quite pretty." Dorian commented idly.

The Tevinter mage then took advantage of Cullen's spluttering response to capture his rook. Solona Amell had just strode by their chess table, and exchanged a casual greeting with Commander. Most people wouldn't make much of the exchange, but Dorian saw the blush creeping up the back of Cullen's neck.

"This is the one who got away, is she not?" Dorian persisted as Cullen attempted to focus on his turn. "Your first love?"

Cullen miscalculated. And sorely regretted ever confiding anything in his longtime chess partner. Dorian cheerfully declared checkmate just two turns later. Much to Cullen's annoyance, however, Dorian continued to badger him about the Grey Warden.

"We're only friends, Dorian." Cullen sighed. "Surely you've heard the songs? Of the Hero and her King?"

"Yes, yes. Old news." Dorian said impatiently. "I am more interested in the tale of the mage and her Templar!"

"There's nothing to tell." Cullen insisted, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Have you been gossiping with Leliana?"

"I was just going off my own observations." Dorian mused. "But Leliana, you say?"

Ignoring Cullen's protests, Dorian sauntered away in search of the spymaster. The Commander groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes.

"Pondering your next move, Commander?"

He opened his eyes to see Amell had settled into Dorian's vacant seat. She began moving the pieces back to the correct places. Cullen was surprised to see she remembered where they all went. He had once taught her the basics of chess, hidden in the Circle library under the cover of night. But Cullen assumed she'd forgotten. He doubted the Hero of Ferelden had much time for board games.

"I'm quite rusty, but I'm up for a game if you are." Amell looked at Cullen hopefully.

In the weeks since the Winter Palace disaster, Cullen and Amell had been friendly, but at arm's length. They often crossed paths at Skyhold, but usually one or both of them was busy, and hadn't had time for a proper conversation. And so Amell had decided to seek Cullen out herself.

"I'll go easy on you." Cullen promised with a crooked grin.

Despite Cullen making some horrendous mistakes, the game ended in less than thirty minutes with Amell taking the loss. She remembered the rules as Cullen had taught her. But certainly none of the strategy.

"In my defense, you never taught me to play well." Amell chided teasingly.

"We'll have to rectify that."

Amell looked up to see Cullen smiling, golden eyes bright.

"I look forward to a rematch then." Amell beamed, standing up to leave. "But for now… I have some reports I've been putting off. Thanks Cullen."

There was a snort behind him as Amell walked off, and Cullen whipped around to see Dorian lounging on a nearby bench.

"'Rectify'…" The mage muttered, too amused for Cullen's liking. "Really Commander, I- OUCH!"

Cullen had thrown a knight piece at Dorian and smacked him square in the forehead.

"Checkmate."